England 1 Republic of Ireland 1

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Ashley Cole of England battles with Seamus Coleman of the Republic of Ireland during the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

Republic of Ireland's Seamus Coleman attempts to block a shot on goal by England's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (left) during the International Friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London

England's Wayne Rooney (right) and Republic of Ireland's Seamus Coleman battle for the ball during the International Friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London

England's Wayne Rooney (right) and Republic of Ireland's Seamus Coleman battle for the ball during the International Friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Theo Walcott of England holds off Stephen Kelly of the Republic of Ireland during the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Theo Walcott of England and James McCarthy of the Republic of Ireland watch the ball during the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of England tackles Jon Walters of the Republic of Ireland during the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Daniel Sturridge of England is stretched off through injury as Roy Hodgson manager of England look on during the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Wayne Rooney of England in action during the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: John O'Shea of the Republic of Ireland holds off Jermain Defoe of England during the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Glen Johnson of England is tackled by Aiden McGeady of the Republic of Ireland during the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Theo Walcott of England is chased by Aiden McGeady of the Republic of Ireland during the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Daniel Sturridge of England takes on James McCarthy of the Republic of Ireland during the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Republic of Ireland fans celebrate in the stands after Shane Long scores his side's first goal of the game during the International Friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London

Republic of Ireland's Shane Long (right) celebrates scoring the opening goal of the game during the International Friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Frank Lampard of England scores his team's first goal to make the score 1-1 during the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane (left) and England captain for the night Ashley Cole (right) shake hands before kick off during the International Friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London.

England's captain Ashley Cole is applauded by his manager Roy Hodgson after receiving his 100th cap during the International Friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London.

England's captain Ashley Cole is applauded by his manager Roy Hodgson after receiving his 100th cap during the International Friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London

Republic of Ireland's Stephen Kelly (right) and England's Theo Walcott (left) battle for the ball during the International Friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London

A green smoke canister is removed from the pitch by a steward during the International Friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London

England's captain Ashley Cole shakes hands with the FA chairman David Bernstein before the International Friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Shane Long of the Republic of Ireland celebrates as he scores their first goal during the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Shane Long of the Republic of Ireland celebrates as he scores their first goal during the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Shane Long of the Republic of Ireland celebrates as he scores their first goal during the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Captain Ashley Cole of England is honoured with his 100th cap as Roy Hodgson manager of England (R) and FA chairman David Bernstein (L) look on prior to the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of England evades Glenn Whelan and Jon Walters of the Republic of Ireland during the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Republic of Ireland players line up prior to the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Captain Ashley Cole of England (L) leads out the team in honour of his 100th cap prior to the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Captain Ashley Cole of England (L) leads out the team in honour of his 100th cap prior to the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: England and Ireland fans enjoy the pre-match atmosphere prior to the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England

Republic of Ireland fans before the International Friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London

Republic of Ireland fans before the International Friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London

Thomas Murphy and Conor O'Sullivan from Bray in Ireland, outside Wembley Stadium before the International Friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: Republic of Ireland fans enjoy the pre-match atmosphere prior to the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: England fans hold a flag in memory of Lee Rigby prior to the International Friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2013 in London, England

By John Mulgrew

The Republic of Ireland have held England to a draw at Wembley during their first clash in almost two decades.

This time the match managed the full 90 minutes - unlike Ireland's last encounter with England in 1995 which was called-off mid game due to rioting.

It started so well for the Republic as a stunning cross from Seamus Coleman was swiftly headed towards the top left corner of the England net by Shane Long.

Long opened the scoring, putting Ireland ahead in the 13th minute, taking advantage of some sloppy defending.

But the uproarious cheers emanating from the Irish fans - complete with green smoke pitch-side - were dulled as 10 minutes later England evened the scoreline.

Frank Lampard poked the ball in at close range in response to the Republic's early match opener.

The Republic of Ireland faced off against Roy Hodgson's men in the first fixture between the two nations in 18 years after rioting English supporters forced the abandonment of the last meeting in Dublin in February 1995.

Ireland had lost none of their last five meetings with England, including the game at Lansdowne Road which ended prematurely with the home side leading 1-0.

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